Financial Controller - Accounting & Compliance Lead

Location

Düsseldorf, Germany

This is an in-house / on-side role working mostly out of our Düsseldorf office. 

Mission

The earth needs to get back to zero. At Zelestra, we make your decarbonization a reality! By working hard and working smart. We do all we can to meet our clients’ goals and get results that matter.

Zelestra is a purpose driven global multi-technology company, we provide value across the entire chain to enhance competitiveness and mitigate execution risk in large-scale renewable energy projects with a robust project portfolio and vertical integration to deliver renewable solutions efficiently.

We believe in the energy transition is the defining project of our generation - and that it should be exciting to be part of it. Our culture is build on innovation, collaboration, sustainability and real local impact: we create value in the communities where we build, and we give our people responsibility early.

Germany is one of Zelestra´s key business units, led by an experienced and driven management team, with a clear strategy: develop, build and operate wind, solar and battery energy storage assets at scale. Our first project reached commercial operation in 2026 and our pipeline has over 2 GWs of new projects. This is a growth story at its steepest point - and finance is at the center of it.

You will be the owner of the actuals of Zelestra Germany - and a builder. Together with our Global Controlling and Accounting team, you will shape the local accounting function from the ground up: the process, the automation, the standards. This is not a caretaker role; it is a chance to design how a fast-growing energy platform runs its numbers.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end close, balance sheet and SPV accounting for all German entities - our shared service center executes, you control quality and onw the numbers.
• Report actuals with business commentary - explain the numbers, don´t just post them. 
• Develop analysis on deviatios from budget and recommendations on what the business needs to do better. 
• Own local statutory and tax compliance (HGB annual accounts, VAT, CIT), working with the top-tier external advisors who support our compliance work.
• Build and automate: AI-supported close, reconciliation, with the backing of the global finance organization.

Job Requirements

• Degree in accounting / finance or comparable qualification (e.g. Bilanzbuchhalter/in).
• Ownership mentality and commercial curiosity.
• Curiosity and capacity to execute AI-supported tooling and process improvement. 
• Prior experience with a leading audit / accounting firm or experience in renewables or infrastructure business is a strong plus.
• Business fluent in German and English.

What we offer

• A lean, entrepreneurial team where your decisions matter and your impact is visible
• A fast-growing platform with strong deal flow and an active development pipeline ready to be executed.
• Competitive salary in the range of EUR 80,000 - 95,000 and performance-based incentive.

Change the way the world is powered and send us your application. We are not just a workplace: we are a hub of innovation, where great minds come together to reshape the energy landscape!

Zelestra celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a variety of backgrounds including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity... Our mission is to contribute to a more just and equitable society.

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